April was a fun and full month with lots of food distribution around the city of Jeremie and the Te Wouj PBFA project. We are so blessed to have great partners who help us Live the Difference in these communities. While doing food distribution in Te Wouj, we drive by a small village two times a day and we have started to stop and meet some of the people. They asked if we could help build a little shelter where people could hang out when it rains or is hot and could sell some food and goods. We took this as an opportunity to build relationships and share Jesus with them. We built it and God showed up! One day on the way back from the country doing food distribution, we were stopped and about 40 people were gathered around the shelter and wanted to tell us thank you! They also asked if we could help train some of their young men and women in different trades so they could make a living. Pastor Eldet took about 10 minutes in his response and shared the gospel with them. We are excited for this open door into this small village to build more relationships with them. We love how God works when we see a need and step out in faith...He shows up. This was more than a shelter, it was a door for the Good News of Jesus to be preached to many people.
The Coronavirus pandemic still has HBM shut down for the most part, but we are continuing our food distribution and discipleship. Slowing down has had its challenges, but having more time to spend with our team members one on one and in small groups has been a huge blessing. It’s been very eye opening to see several members of our team who did not have a relationship with Jesus, but were just going through the motions. With more attention, those team members have been able to grow roots and a deeper understanding of the Gospel. It has been so good to get back to building the foundation of our team and also what’s most important (a living, growing relationship with Jesus). We are seeing new life and joy in people that had been missing. It is a great reminder to find good in all circumstances and that God never wastes time.
The first two cases of Covid-19 were announced in Jeremie on Sunday. There are still a lot of unknowns as to how the virus will effect progress here in Haiti. Police are making rounds to enforce the “wear a mask” ruling, and people continue to be on edge. We are trusting God and know that He has this under control.
Haiti, our region especially, is continuing to feel the effects of a severe drought situation. We are getting deeper and deeper into a food crisis and things will only get worse if we don’t get some rain. Jeremie has had one day of rain in the last six weeks (and we’re currently in the middle of our typical rainy season) and people are losing their crops, which is essentially their livelihoods. With food prices already up over 20% over the last few months, if people continue lose their crops, hunger and starvation will effect hundreds of thousands of people.
Prayer Requests
Please pray for our HBM leaders that God will give them to strength to lead during this challenging season, and also for wisdom how we can be used in this city.
Please pray for our monthly giving to increase.
Please pray for continued growth in our team and new believers.
Please pray for the corona virus not only in Haiti but around the world to stop spreading.
Please pray for rain to help the crops and cease the hunger crisis.
